Boise’s Marcus Eaton collaborates with David Crosby on new ‘Croz’ album

Based on age and musical backgrounds, the two seem like unlikely songwriting chums. But when Crosby told me in 2011 that Eaton was “one of the best young singer-songwriter guys in America, maybe in the world” and that he played guitar “like God on a good day, ” I could tell this wasn’t going to be a short-lived companionship.

As Rolling Stone points out, Crosby’s first album in more than 20 years, “Croz,” will be released Jan. 28. It’s the result of a collaboration between Crosby, Eaton and Crosby’s son, James Raymond. In this new video, Crosby says the songwriting “just completely smokes me.”

What’s interesting is that it isn’t just Eaton’s guitar playing and songwriting that’s dazzled Crosby; it’s his voice. Eaton sings harmonies on the album: “Marcus has this eerie ability to sound exactly like me — right above me,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member explained to Rolling Stone.

For Eaton, who cut his teeth in Boise before relocating to Los Angeles in 2012, it’s pretty much a dream come true.

“I have to say,” he explained, “singing on this with Crosby — who’s a complete legend when it comes to harmony and vocal harmony — that was awesome.”

Michael Deeds is the Idaho Statesman’s entertainment columnist and Scene magazine editor. His column runs Fridays and Sundays. He appears on the 6 p.m. broadcast of "Today's 6 News" on Thursdays and hosts a music show, "The Other Studio," from 9-10 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM The River.